'Aggretsuko' Review: Season 4 offers a deeper look at Haida's character and emotions

While it's easy to write off Haida as the funny unrequited love interest, Season 4 showcases a different side of him
Retsuko (Kaolip/Erica Mendez) and Haida (Shingo Kato/Ben Diskin) in 'Aggretsuko' Season 4 (Youtube/Netflix)
Retsuko (Kaolip/Erica Mendez) and Haida (Shingo Kato/Ben Diskin) in 'Aggretsuko' Season 4 (Youtube/Netflix)

For all you fans of 'Aggretsuko', everyone's favourite red panda is back and this time she's dealing with a whole new set of chaos. As with Season 3, fans saw Haida finally confess that he feels some way for Retsuko, without directly telling her how deep his emotions are. Now, Retsuko has begun to see him in a new light, changing their dynamics entirely. While it is easy to assume that Season 4 would be all about her relationship with Haida, it takes a rather interesting turn.

Looking for other anime series across genres to check out on Netflix? You might want to consider -- 'The Way of The Househusband', 'Castlevania', 'Yasuke' and 'Eden'.

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While Season 1 to 3 focused entirely on Retsuko's issues at work, her relationships and accepting her musical identity, Season 4, interestingly enough, seems to be more of Haida's journey. After being coaxed by Fenneko into confusing his feelings, Haida can't seem to find the right words to tell Retsuko how he feels.

As he explains it, there is nothing ordinary about Retsuko -- she's managed to date a tech CEO and even become a pop idol overnight. He recognises that there is truly something special about her, while in his head, he is average and fails in comparison. To him, he's another face in the crowd while she continues to draw people to her. So when Himuro, the new CEO of their company, recognises Haida's genius, Haida feels as though he is being noticed for the first time in his life. Season 4 delves deep into Haida's own insecurities and even though Retsuko does like him for who he is, he fails to see that. 

Haida (Shingo Kato/Ben Diskin) in 'Aggretsuko' Season 4 (Youtube/Netflix)

Moreover, with Retsuko reciprocating his feelings, Season 4 is Haida's journey as he reaches a new high. However, there is a turning point when Retsuko begins to produce more music to help Ton, who lost his job.

While Retsuko goes above and beyond to help her friends, Haida starts to cook the company's accounts, as he believes he needs to be successful to be worthy of Retsuko. Season 4 is his realisation that Retsuko truly likes him for who he is, and above all, she values a person who does the right thing no matter what. Retsuko is the one who changes his mind in the end, saving him from getting involved in a fraud scandal. Although Haida leaves the company in the end, his relationship with Retsuko seems to be stronger than ever, and for the first time, he is content with who he is.


Season 4 of 'Aggretsuko' premieres worldwide on December 16, 2021, only on Netflix.

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